On Sunday I took Hattie to a local show and we entered the 2'6 to 2'9 (most were 2'9), we had never jumped a course that high before and show jumping isn't something that I'm entirely comfortable with. Anyway, to my amazement she jumped them all an only rolled one pole so we had four faults, we didn't come anywhere but I was delighted with her

On Saturday I have entered a ODE jumping at this height so it as good practice and at least no I know she can do it I need to remember to sit up as I go a bit foetal and curl up and over fold, but I find this very hard to stop. Suggestions welcome!

I wish I was close to you so I could unstick those knees and get that lower leg to the girth. You are a talented and gutsy rider and this would make your position so bombproof.

BTW, since Hattie has shown such promise in dressage and now jumping....is longterm eventing in your future??

I wish you were close too!

I could see on the photos that my position was awful (over bent and what was my lower leg doing ) when I get a bit nervous all the lessons go out the window and I forget to sit up and trust her. I have booked some more riding club lessons at this height as I know I need them.

Yes, we have a small One Day Event on Saturday, just an open Pony Club one, but at this height so it was good to see if she was happy to jump proper fences at that height. She LOVES XC an will happily jump 90s which amazed me hen we went schooling. So fingers crossed and I'll report back Saturday evening hopefully Fortunately the XC part isn't timed (as it is Pony Club I think) and so deciding marks will be on the dressage which will be to our advantage I hope.

If I can improve my jumping confidence then yes she'll be my little eventer and I think we can do 80s ok and maybe even a 90 one day. If not then I'll stick to dressage which I do enjoy a lot, it just lacks the adrenalin rush you get with XC!

Any tips to remind me to get that lower leg more forward and secure? It is slightly better when we do XC and it is better when I ride my TB, but on her I just tend to lean forwards...which I know hinders her instead of helping.

Any tips to remind me to get that lower leg more forward and secure? It is slightly better when we do XC and it is better when I ride my TB, but on her I just tend to lean forwards...which I know hinders her instead of helping.

Most people don't even know what it feels like to keep the lower leg in the correct position. You really need to stretch the muscles in the back of the leg to do it.

Take your hands and hold your arms out like an airplane. Then, without putting your hands on the horse, get into your jumping position. You will really have to stretch the backs of your knees to get your seat back over the middle of the saddle and keep your lower leg forward enough to balance your upper body.

Without being able to prop up the weight of the upper body (keeping yourself from toppling forward) you will have to keep your lower leg forward to counterbalance that upper body.

You will feel the muscles on the back of the leg start BURNING from the stretch. Until you can easily stretch and keep the legs thee (and build the fitness) you will have difficulty. Ride around a lot in this position at all gaits. When the leg becomes comfortable being in that position, you can start using it over fences. It will make all the difference ESPECIALLY on XC.

I have to admit that in my younger days I would never get aching muscles when on a long gallop, but now in my late 40s I sometimes find it agony, it kills my calf muscles. Unfortunately the rain has set in and my children are still on summer holidays so I'm unable to get out for some good fitness training hacks, we will just have to o some circuits of the field when if it dries up a bit (which it is due to).

In my XC schooling sessions I can get her up and infront of me and I feel more secure and ride a bit more defensively, but in the show jumping that gets a bit lost.

Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Get into your jump position. See how you have to slide your seat back and keep your legs forward to stay balanced? It's the same thing when you are in the saddle. Your position should look like if you were standing on the ground, you would neither fall forward or back.

Just using my photos, see how if the horse were suddenly missing, I would still be in balance if I was standing on the ground?

That especially applies to going downhill/off a bank. You must "land on your feet".

She really is giving some in that second pic - what a punchy little horse she is, make a lovely little hunter
I think some jumping without stirrups (and reins) improves leg position - it forces you to deepen your seat and have your leg in that downwards position to stay on!!

Yep, I totally understand what you are saying In normally riding (not jumping) my balance and leg position in terms of "landing standing" is pretty good, but it just disappears when I jump I've been trying to find any photos of me which are any better and the only ones are with longish stirrups.
Is this one is a bit better? But no real depth in stirrups (this was 3 years ago, a year after I'd backed her and our first go at xc)

She really is giving some in that second pic - what a punchy little horse she is, make a lovely little hunter
I think some jumping without stirrups (and reins) improves leg position - it forces you to deepen your seat and have your leg in that downwards position to stay on!!

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